Business Development Manager (MEPTA)
Description
This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Business Development Manager to join our team in our Seattle, Los Angeles or Culver City offices.
We offer a hybrid work engagement with two days of remote work, and three days in-office.
The Business Development Manager for DWT’s Media, Entertainment, Patent, Trademark & Advertising (“MEPTA”) Practice Group (“BD Manager”) supports the business development (“BD”) initiatives of the firm’s MEPTA practice group. Reporting to the Director of Business Development, this individual serves as a strategic advisor to practice group leaders and partners, helping to drive the client development strategies and coordinate marketing efforts. The BD Manager will oversee and mentor the MEPTA Business Development Specialist (“BD Specialist”) and collaborate closely with lawyers, marketing colleagues, and other business professionals to support the BD needs of the group. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, a client-service mindset, and the flexibility to respond to changing priorities and business needs.
At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.
On a typical day you will:
- Develop a deep understanding of the MEPTA practice group, including services, expertise, clients, and competitors; develop a working understanding of the firm’s practice areas; and serve as a firmwide connector who helps lawyers network with each other.
- Lead the development of pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and other client presentations for the MEPTA practice group.
- Support MEPTA lawyers in client relationship development efforts, including preparation for client meetings, follow-up from events, and identifying opportunities to expand work with new and existing clients.
- Collaborate with the Events Team to plan, execute, and follow up on events, webinars, seminars, and conference sponsorships.
- Conduct and monitor client, prospect, market, industry, and competitive trends for MEPTA’s practice areas and translate insights into actionable plans, such as targeting new industries or cross-selling opportunities with other practice groups.
- Manage and draft submissions to legal directories and industry awards (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500, WTR, IAM Patent, and other industry- and practice-based awards) for the MEPTA practice group.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Team to develop external marketing collateral and update content on the firm’s website.
- Manage and maintain key practice group information (experience, client profiles, market intelligence, and contact lists) and leverage the firm’s CRM and experience management systems by proactively soliciting and tracking contacts, activities, and experience.
- Supervise and mentor the BD Specialist.
- Build strong business relationships with lawyers throughout the firm.
- Support and collaborate with other business services teams, as appropriate.
- Support the BD team with ad hoc tasks, as needed.
Join us if you have:
- Minimum of 4+ years of experience in business development or marketing within a law firm or professional services firm. Demonstrated experience supporting partners or practice groups in client development activities is required. Experience with intellectual property, patent litigation, or other litigation practices is strongly preferred.
- At least 1 year of leadership, supervisory, or management experience is preferred.
- Ability to establish credibility with legal personnel at all levels of the firm.
- Demonstrates an effective mix of confidence, tact, patience, and persistence.
- Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to understand the firm’s mission and business priorities, practice activities, and related market dynamics.
- Commitment to client service.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills.
- Flexibility and resourcefulness, with a solutions-oriented approach.
- Strong multitasking and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with client relationship management databases (e.g., DealCloud, Foundation, InterAction, or similar), as well as experience using research tools and analyzing market and client data to inform strategic decisions.
- Demonstrated initiative and strong follow-through on projects, with the ability to think creatively.
- Proven ability to identify, develop, and implement best practices that expand cross-selling opportunities and support strong realization.
- Ability to work independently and enhance communications within and across practice groups, offices, and management.
- Ability to drive BD efforts and maintain momentum from planning through execution.
- Ability to work closely and collaborate with the Practice Management and Marketing Teams, outside vendors and consultants, and other business professionals.
- Some travel may be required.
Who We Are
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 9 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.
What’s in it For You?
DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:
- Choice of health and vision insurance plans
- 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
- Dental plan
- Fertility and adoption benefit
- Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
- Tuition reimbursement
- Commuter benefits
- Retirement contribution
This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.
Washington State
The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $134,000 to $156,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays each year and an employee assistance program. For full-time employees, the initial vacation benefit is 15 days per year and 11 days of sick leave per year, accrued bi-weekly. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
California
The annualized salary range for this position in Los Angeles and Culver City is $146,000 to $160,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP fosters a culture where all talented individuals—including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession—can have, and can see, paths to success. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion sits on four pillars: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. Learn more about the firm’s commitment to DEI here:www.dwt.com/dei.
Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [email protected].
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